Cargo loading and unloading platform



L. MATARESE CARGO LOADING AND UNLOADING PLATFORM March 18, 1941.

Original Filed Jan. 28, 1939 Patented Mar. 18, 1941 FATE? QFFICE CARGO LOADIN G AND UNLGADING PLATFORM Lawrence Matarese, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Original application January 28, 1939, Serial No.

253,423. Divided and this application February 28, 1940, Serial No. 321,331

1 Claim.

This invention relates to cargo loading and unloading platforms, and has for one of its objects the production of a simple and efficient apparatus for facilitating the handling of the cargo in a manner to reduce the hazard of accidents, reduce loss occasioned by damage to the cargo, and save time in handling the cargo.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple and efficient loading platform having means for facilitating the attachment thereof to a support, such as a wharf and the like.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claim.

This a divisional application of my application relating to Cargo loading and unloading apparatus, filed January 28, 1939, Serial Number 253,423.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the loading platform forming a part of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan View thereof; and.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

By referring to the drawing, it will be seen that I5 designates the loading platform which comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced platform members l6 carrying transverse and cleat members 11, which are bolted or otherwise secured in an assembled relation in a manner such as is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. These end cleat members ll are carried by the upper face of the platform near the ends thereof and a central bottom cleat member l8 extends transversely across the bottom of the platform in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3. Metal truss braces or straps l9 pass transversely across the bottom cleat member l8 and the ends thereof are secured adjacent the ends of the platform in the manner shown in the drawing, two of these truss braces 19 preferably being used. Transversely extending strap members 20 are secured to the under face of the platform l5 in the manner shown in Figures 1 to 4 at the ends of thel platform and directly under the end cleat members H. The ends of the truss braces is are fitted under the strap members 20 to provide a sturdy connection therefor. The strap members 2!] are provided with upwardly bent and rearwardly extending ledge portions 2| at their rear ends, as shown in detail in Figures 2 and 4. These ledge portions 2! are offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strap members 20 to provide shoulder portions 22 which are adapted to rest against a wharf or other support 23. The ledge portions 2! are adapted to overhangthe wharf or other support 23, in the manner shown in Figures 1 to 4, and the inner end of the central transverse cleat i8 is also adapted to abut against the front face 24 of the wharf 23. The platform l5 carries an eye 25 near each outer corner to which eyes 25 are secured hooks, such for instance as the hook 2B of the brace 21, two of these braces preferably being used. A suitable turnbuckle 28 is provided in the brace 21 and this brace 21 may comprise a pair of links such as are shown in Figure 1, and each brace is connected to a suitable eye 29 carried by a support 30 by means of a hook 3|. Suitable ballards 32 may be carried by the platform [5.

The truss braces or straps l9 extending in the manner shown in Figure 2 will efficiently reinforce the loading platform and prevent the platform from bending or buckling in the middle thereof, and the strap members 20 by extending under the bottom of the platform and having the offset overhanging ledge portions 2| as shown, will provide an efficient means for supporting the platform against the edge of the dock in conjunction with the braces 21. Through the medium of this reinforced and braced loading platform considerable difiiculty will be avoided which has heretofore proved disastrous, in that under the ordinary type of platform the placing of heavy loads thereon often causes the platform to break under the added strain thereby greatly damaging the cargo. The structure of the platform as devised will not only provide an efiicient means for supporting the cargo and preventing the same from becoming damaged by falling from the platform, but it will also add greatly to the safety of the persons working about the platform. Furthermore, owing to the structure of the platform and the offset overhanging ledge portions 2 l the upper edges of the platform members l6 may be supported in substantially flush relation with respect to the floor of the wharf 23, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawing. The transversely extending central cleat member [3 not only provides means for spacing the central portion of the truss brace IS on the bottom of the platform members It of the platform 15, but the inner end of this cleat member acts as a bumper or stop to fit against the front face 24 of the wharf 23, as shown. It should be understood that because of the structure of the platform l5, and the fact that the platform members I6 are substantially flush with the top of the wharf 23, the cargo may be easily moved to and from the wharf upon the platform l5 and at the same time the cargo will be protected from falling off the ends of the platform by the cleats l1 and will be prevented from falling off the front of the platform by means of the transversely extending front rail Ila.

Certain detail changes in the mechanical construction may be employed Without departing from the spirit of the invention so long as such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what I claim is:

A platform adapted to be secured upon a dock comprising a fioor portion, retaining means extending around the end edges and front edge of the platform, the rear side edge being open, suspending bracing means secured to a support and engaging the forward portion of the platform, strap members extending under the floor portion of the platform and having upwardly ofi'set ledge portions, the ledge portions being adapted to fit over the edge of a dock for bracing and supporting the platform in substantially flush relation with respect to the floor of a clock, a transverse central brace extending across the under face of the floor portion of the platform and having a rear edge adapted to abut against the front wall of a dock for bracing the platform, and spaced longitudinally extending truss bars passing under said central brace and having the ends thereof anchored under said strap members.

LAWRENCE NIATARESE. 

